Posting it here, too, because you guys have actually read the books :D

2009-07-18T05:58:17Z

First thought: holy CRAP that movie was PG??? And they kept the blood sacrificing, torturing, near-deaths of kids, and murdering? Holy HELL.

Second thought: cinematography was gorgeous. The last two movies just look fantastic.

Next: okay, I was honestly worried about the screenplay because I thought the Order of the Phoenix writer did a better script...but holy cow, not only did I *laugh* a lot more than I thought I would, I actually really liked some of the stuff they had to add. Like the fish tank thing. Corny? Maybe, but I liked it.

The two bits that made me die laughing: "Harryyyy!""Profesoooor!" and "So, did you and Ginny do it?"

I like whoever did casting this time. Cormac and Lavender were fucking brilliant. I died laughing at Cormac trying to hit on Hermione.

Also, sweet fucking Jesus, I like how they did Remus and Tonks. No over-dramatic declarations to ruin the sadness of Dumbledore dying. Just them acting couply, walking together, Tonks calling Remus 'sweetheart'...much more subtle and believable. It actually makes them seem like a legit couple, which, let's face it, they never really seemed like in the books (probably 'cuz Lupin was all, "GET ME AWAY FROM HER PLEASE NOW THANK YOU.")

I really didn't have high hopes for Dumbledore's death -- after all, Sirius' death merely made me sad in the last movie (though Cedric's is gut-wrenching) so I didn't think I would end up crying. But...God.

My favorite change that they made was Snape stopping Harry. Instead of Harry being immobile, they switched it to Snape halting him and I think it was brilliant. Because it makes what happens so much worse: he let Snape go and ultimately kill Dumbledore. Because he stood aside, Snape was able to get to Dumbledore. And now Harry has guilt for being letting two people he cared about die because of his mistakes.

And some of the details are even more brutal once you've read DH. One of the most gut-wrenching moments in both the book and the movie is when Harry and Dumbledore arrive back, and Harry says he'll get the nurse. And Dumbledore says no, get Severus, get Snape instead.

Because he knows he's weak and that he's dying and that time is running out, and he needs Snape to kill him before the Death Eaters do. He would have died that night even if Draco hadn't interfered, and it's brutal because he's sending Harry to get the means for his death. In the movie, they make it even clearer: "Stay hidden. Don't let anyone see you. Don't tell anyone what I've asked you to do."

And we even see Snape try to stop him. We see the conversation from the Prince's Tale, where he asks, "What if I don't want to do this anymore?"

And he does it anyway. Because that's the plan, because if he doesn't someone far more cruel will. Because he still has to play the part. Because Voldemort killed Lily and Dumbledore tried to save her and that's all he's needed as far as choosing sides.

And then they reach the lightning-struck tower, and Dumbledore's last words are, "Severus...please..." And there's just a pause...and it happens. Simple, straightforward, and it's done. And it's horrible and so utterly effective and it kills me.

lost_sirius

Posting it here, too, because you guys have actually read the books :D